Reston Association plays with idea of upgrading Barton Hill tennis courts

Reston Association is considering a plan to improve the tennis courts at Barton Hill. Built in 1985, the courts suffer from major cracks along the concrete. In 2000, a proposal to cover and light the four unlit courts never materialized.

Since then, RA repaired and color-coated the courts in 2011 and 2017. The board is considering either a soft or hardcover for the court, lighting, and additional improvements.

At a Sept. 23 board meeting, staff presented two options — a single-phase option where all the work would be completed at one time — and a two-phase option in which lightning and court improvements would be followed by a cover five years later.

Chris Schumaker, RA’s capital projects director, recommended the association’s Board of Directors at a recent board meeting favor the single-phase option, which he said was cheaper and caused less disruption for users. Costs for covers linger between $1.4 to 2 million while installing lights and a refurbished court would cost between $720,000 and $895,000.

A recent geotechnical study on the courts found that the courts have been overplayed with asphalt several times in the past — creating upwards of four layers and resulting in reflective cracking.

RA is currently in the thick of developing its 2022 budget, which could include a six percent increase next year’s assessment. Discussions on the budget are currently underway and a draft budget is expected to be released by Oct. 4.

Covers would allow the courts to have extended seasonal play, but not year-round.

Next year, Reston Association plans to continue the rehaul of Lake Thoreau pool. In 2023, the organization plans to renovate Shadowood pool — pending input from the community and the board. The cost of that project is expected to hover around $1.3 million in addition to $575,000 for the renovation of the Glade tennis courts.

Construction of Lake Thoreau’s pool is expected to begin in November after the board approves a construction contract in October, according to meeting materials from a Sept. 23 board meeting.